10.21.2011

9.14.2011

We can't do everything...butwe can do something. I am a sponsor of﻿ this event.

(Shop Marilyn Monrose)

﻿To support this very important cause.

About City Harvest:City Harvest, a non-profit organization founded in 1982, is the world's first and New York City's only food rescue program. City Harvest helps feed over 300,000 people each week by rescuing over 83,000 pounds of food each day, regularly giving food to nearly 600 community programs. Learn more at www.cityharvest.org.

I would like to encourage everyone to get out and give. It doesn't have to be money...time is often more important. There are many causes that need your support. Choose one and donate - I know you will feel more- or at least asblessed as those you are helping!

8.31.2011

We sure have a Bumper crop of GREEN tomatoes. The weather this year in the PNW has not been kind to our garden. Tomorrow marks the first day of September and the weather doesn't look topromising. If they make it all the way to red we will have literallyhundreds of glorious Tommy-toes. We (mainly my husband) will try our hand at canning them - along with histo-die-for spaghetti sauce. Now that's sumptin' to talk about. It's so good I swear I could drink it!

( San Marzano- World's best they say)

All this leads me to wondering: Are fried green tomatoes made with unripe fruit or is there a green tomato variety I don't know about? Does anyone have a good recipe they want to share? Speaking of unknown varieties...I had no idea there was such thing as Green Beans with such a lovely purple design. But here they are- freshly picked from our garden! I was a little Leary to try them. It's like convincing yourself a red banana is normal. It just didn't make sense to me. But let me tell you they are divine!

( Designer Green Beans)

My lovely Aunt and Uncle stopped by today and brought us some fabulous local blueberries. Aren't they pretty? They taste even better then they look!﻿

8.23.2011

I am so enamored by her exquisite bouquets-I had to find out more about the person behind the art- so I went straight to the source! Here is my interview with Liza fromLillybuds Bespoke Bridal Bouquets.

What inspires your designs?
Current wedding trends, colours and browsing for supplies on Etsy. I will find something and base a new design on that. I have some gorgeous reproduction lock and keys I am very keen to use.

How long have you been creating your bridal bouquets?
Since 2008

Do you have a top selling design?
The diamonds and pearls bouquet is by far the most popular with brides from all around the world.

Do you have a website or blog?
My websitewww.lillybuds.com, I don't blog but I am on Facebook, always adding new photos. You can find me on facebook as ...Lillybuds Bespoke Button Bouquets and Brooch Bouquets

You currently have a 40 week wait on orders. You must be one busy gal! Can someone request a rush on aorder?
Yes I can accommodate rush orders. Ddepending how rushed though, charges may apply.

Two random facts about you...
My Father was a lighthouse keeper so we lived in very isolated places and I was taught school at home. I love handmade enameled jewelry especially byBullfinch and Barbury on Etsy.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule Liza! I think my husband and I may have to renew or vows just so I can carry one your bouquets!

8.10.2011

A distant relative (who knew?) of Queen Elizabeth, wants to give up her title to marry a civil servant (gasp!) young enough to be her son. Sounds kind of Crazy but consider this. The gentleman IS 60 years old.

What do her Children think about it? "He's not a gold digger" the Duchess claims. Never the less she hands over much of her vast fortune to her kids.

7.24.2011

6.22.2011

I won't bore you with the details of the long sabbatical from my blog. Actually, sabbatical makes it sound much more pleasant then it was. But alas I am back, and during my absence I decided to share my love of vintage empherema. I created a Etsy shop and have been sorting through my ridiculously large stash of papers, postcards, etc. and many are now listed here: Marilyn MonRose. Take a peek at the side bar----> and come on over and say hi!

3.21.2011

Me. A few years ago we sold our house and moved to Idaho. (not a fan) We stayed less then a year and I was ecstatic to see the lovely green of the PNW come into view on our drive home. But that's not where I am going with this. We lived in Orchards until we were tired of taxiing our kids back and forth daily to BattleGround, our home town. So I began the dreadful task of finding a house to rent. I scoured the local property management websites. Finding a home in the right location, price range, size...was proving daunting. I would call to check on a place and it would be gone. Finally I came across a town house that was very familiar. And it was just one street away from our old house! I called and told them we would take it!! The woman on the other end paused and asked in a surprised voice "Don't you want to see it first?" I didn't need to, I explained. My husband had done some work on it when it was built! I called Mr. Wonderful and gave the good news- we went right in and signed the lease papers.

The next day as our moving truck was being loaded, I went ahead to open the place up.

Much to my surprise someone was living in it! I pulled up by the curb and sat there baffled. Before calling the agency I pulled out our lease papers. I contemplated out loud that maybe I should knock on the door. My daughter Alexa looked at me like I was crazy. I gave the papers another glance. Panic set in. The address wasn't even close to where I sat. I was so convinced I knew where it was, I never checked the address on the lease papers. This was S.E. and we needed to be at the same street only N.W. What and where did we rent??

I couldn't, just couldn't call my husband. He is used to me after 18 years-but this? I pulled away from the curb trying to figure out where the place was. I drove around town for twenty minutes trying to find the proper address. What if it was a dump? What if, what if..? I finally pulled into the right driveway and decided I better call Mr. Wonderful and let him in on our my mistake. I won't tell you what he said. I rushed to tell him the outside looked OK as I fumbled with the lock. I slowly pushed the door open. Whew! It was a respectable place. Clean and nice. It would work. It would have to work! The papers were signed. Yes, this is a long story and to make it a bit shorter...I had to let our family and friends know where they could REALLY find us. Did I ever tell you about the Pepper and Salt Shakers?

3.14.2011

Have you ever tried to buy someone perfume for a gift? It's nearly impossible. I have a hard enough time buying

myself a new fragrance so I wouldn't presume to buy for someone else. I tend to get stuck wearing the same scent for a few years... or more. For a long time I have been wearing CoCo Mademoiselle. The other day I was mindlessly browsing Sephora and

there it was. Dolce and Gabbana 18 La Lune. I fell in love again. It is slightly reminiscent of a a long ago favorite- Paris by Yves St. Laurent. Soft but not weak Not to floral, or to musky. I am not good at identifying the notes but I know what I like. And I really, really like love 18 La Lune!

How long can one carry on about perfume? In my case...a long time. At the risk of sounding snobbish, I can almost always tell cheap perfume. It can be costly buying from a department store over a drug store- but it is well worth the indulgence! Several bottles look nice arranged on a dresser but to many perfume choices leave meconfused. Which one should I wear today? What is my mood? Perhaps my perfume habits say something about me... am I not big on change? Am I single minded? Or Do I simply know exactly what I want and won't settle for less?